Chapter 2

I was about to tell my people to bring all the transaction records from these past years too.

Colin suddenly snatched my phone away.

"So what? Did any of those transfer notes say 'loan'? If it doesn't say so, then you gave it willingly!"

Cornelia jumped in at once.

"The renovation was for your daughter to live in."

"The startup money, you handed that over willingly too."

"As for the mortgage and the car loan, what married couple doesn't pay those together?"

She bent down, picked up that twelve-thousand-dollar bride gift list, and slapped it hard against my chest.

"This is the only money my family, the Gilberts, put out in cold hard cash!"

"You'll pay it back today!"

Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she turned her head toward the corner of the funeral hall.

"Fine. If you can't come up with the twelve thousand, you can settle it another way."

"Don't you still have a daughter at home? Marry her off to my nephew and call the debt paid."

Emily Abbott flinched, clutching her sister's belongings as she backed away a few steps.

I was beyond furious.

"She's only eighteen!"

Cornelia let out a scornful little laugh.

"Eighteen, so what? I've got no problem with it."

"As long as she can wash clothes, cook, and pop out babies."

Then she waved a hand into the crowd.

A man in his thirties immediately shoved his way out.

Cornelia pointed at Emily.

"See that? Your auntie found you a wife, a whole twelve thousand in bride gift!"

The man's eyes lit up in an instant, drool sliding down his cheek.

"Wife!"

He lunged at her, and Emily jerked back in fright.

But the man paid no mind, grabbing her wrist and yanking her hard against him.

Cornelia not only didn't stop it, she clapped and cheered.

"She won't listen now, but once she's through the door, a good beating will straighten her out."

"Our Bruno's a little slow in the head, sure, but he's got plenty of strength. He'll get her popping out sons in no time!"

Colin's relatives roared with laughter.

Some of them even pulled out their phones to take pictures.

"Inspect the goods first, don't go marrying another one who can't have kids!"

"The sister couldn't produce a child, so maybe there's something wrong with this one too!"

Emily was crying so hard her whole body shook.

I grabbed the metal stand next to the wreath and swung it hard at the man's arm.

"Let go of my daughter!"

The man yelped in pain and released her.

Cornelia, wild with rage, rushed at me and started clawing.

"You owe money and won't pay it back, and you think you're in the right?"

Several of Colin's relatives closed in fast.

The whole group of them shoved and jostled us.

In the chaos, someone yanked open Emily's blouse.

A white button popped off and flew, landing in front of Rachel's memorial photo.

The man's eyes lit up in an instant, and he seized her by the hair and dragged her toward the side room behind the funeral hall.

Emily was terrified.

Her ten fingers clawed at the door frame, and she screamed until her voice broke, "Mom!"

Something in my chest wrenched tight.

Ignoring the pain all over my body, I jerked my head up.

"Colin, make them stop right now."

"Or I swear I'll make you regret it!"